Research puzzle and academic relevance
How can intergroup conflict be reduced or prevented? Research has shown that positive intergroup contact can overcome both prejudice and intergroup conflict (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006), but can have unwanted ‘demobilizing’ effects on minority members’ perceptions of injustice and willingness to take collective action. At the same time, numerous intergroup conflicts continue, or break out in spite of intergroup contact that seems to occur under optimal conditions; sometimes even after the successful conduct of contact programs.
Recent studies have examined this puzzle by studying the effects of positive versus negative contact (e.g., Barlow et al., 2012; Pettigrew, 2008; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2013). There is now evidence suggesting that the continuation of conflict in spite of positive contact could be related to negative contact having a stronger effect on prejudice than positive contact (Barlow et al., 2012). We propose that positive and negative contact may interact, most importantly in the form of patterns we have called “buffering” – positive contact reducing the effect of negative contact – as opposed to “poisoning” – negative contact reducing the effect of positive contact (Fell et al., under review).
In this pilot study, we investigate buffering and poisoning effects on outgroup attitudes, and potential demobilizing effects for minority group members, in an environment that has a long history of intergroup violence: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The continuation of this conflict is puzzling from a contact perspective because of the large number of contact programs conducted by policy makers over the past decade. These have included as many as one sixth of the Jewish population of Israel and a large number of Palestinian citizens of Israel (Maoz, 2011); and were widely considered a success (measured by surveys conducted after the completion of the programs). However, this success has not translated into the daily environment in which Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel interact with each other.
Methodological foundation
Why does conflict in Israel continue despite some evidence of positive intergroup contact? To investigate this question, we will investigate the novel proposal that more diverse contexts permit not only positive contact between groups, but also negative contact, with some research arguing that the effects of negative contact are greater than those of positive contact, but recent research also showing that negative contact can help to prevent demobilizing effects. We will conduct pilot surveys testing the main effects and interactions of positive and negative contact in two mixed cities: West Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Although positive contact continues on a daily basis, both cities have a long and ongoing history of hostile intergroup interactions. We will explore these interactions by sampling 800 respondents (400 Jewish, 400 Palestinian Israeli citizens). Data collection will be subcontracted to a professional survey company, who will use a random location quota design and face-to-face surveys.
Expected outcomes
Studying intergroup interactions in West Jerusalem and Tel Aviv contributes to the existing literature on intergroup contact, which has typically overlooked the study of
negative intergroup contact – an expressed concern among researchers (e.g., Barlow et al., 2012; Pettigrew, 2008; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2013). Our pilot surveys will add new knowledge to findings we have obtained from longitudinal surveys conducted in Germany (Fell et al., 2016), which have provided evidence for the existence of valenced contact interactions. Our pilot surveys in Israel will further investigate these interactions in a context which has seen relatively more negative intergroup encounters, whose analysis will shed light on:
1. the types of daily contact experienced in environments of conflict
2. the novel interplay between positive and negative contact, which may be experienced by the same person, across different settings
3. the link between this contact and attitudes toward the outgroup (buffering versus poisoning)
4. positive attitudes that exist notwithstanding the context of conflict.
Significance for policy consulting
How to reduce violence between Palestinians and Israelis has been one of the most pressing questions facing peacebuilding in the modern world. Both German and international policymakers have tried to advance the peace process in Israel and Palestine for many decades – without success. German policymakers have had a special interest in the subject due to the special history and role that Germany played in the foundation of the state of Israel.
Our research will provide new information that is crucial to improve policies adopted to deal with ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine. Examining intergroup interactions that occur in a real world setting, our pilot study will show if buffering and poisoning effects occur, and when they are most likely to occur. Specifically, we will 1). Systematically identify both positive and negative contact occurring between both groups on a daily basis, 2). Link this contact to positive versus negative attitudes about the outgroup, 3). Identify when positive contact can buffer negative contact, and 4). Identifying when negative contact can poison positive contact.
Ironically, policymakers have invested large amounts of money into contact programs which have not been successful on a long-term basis. Our findings will provide invaluable insight into why current contact programs are failing, and what can be done to improve them. Our findings will offer policy recommendations that are more optimistic and more enlightened than what is offered by existing research on intergroup contact in Israel, which has suggested that separating rival groups is the best strategy to reduce violence. While such strategies might offer short-term solutions, they cannot be considered long-term solutions that lead to sustainable peace.
Our findings will also speak to intergroup conflicts outside the Israel-Palestine conflict, such as the newly emerging conflict between the German refugees and the German host population – which is of great interest to German policy makers. Our findings will help to identify strategies on how to buffer negative contact that has been occurring more generally, including contact between refugees and the German host population. We plan to use this pilot study to design a large, follow-up project that further explores intergroup contact in both Israel and Germany.